An estimated eight hundred people took to the streets on Friday to protest against Tesla’s plan to expand its German factory located in Grünheide. The demonstration was spearheaded by Disrupt Tesla, an anti-capitalist group that opposes all forms of individual transportation.
Following the protest, Disrupt Tesla released a statement alleging that Tesla’s activities contribute to global environmental damage and dispossession. The group claimed that around 200 protestors managed to block Neuhardenberg airfield – currently utilized by Tesla – for several hours and also spray ‘blood’ redden paint on Tesla vehicles in transit, inscribing the message, “Blood on your hands, blood on your cars.”
Simultaneously, other related events were organized in various locations across Germany as a show of solidarity. One of the key objectives of the protests was to oppose a ‘tailored’ development plan for Tesla. This plan, if executed, could lead to the deforestation of nearly 50 hectares of woods. If the community assembly rejects this development plan, the local government of Brandenburg has the power to overrule the decision by means of a special vote. The plan previously received a warm reception from the parliamentary State Secretary of the federal Ministry of Economy in April (source).
In response to these demonstrations, Disrupt Tesla highlighted that their grievance is not solely against Tesla. They released a statement iterating their larger aim of challenging the entire auto industry: “Instead of expensive cars for a few, we need buses and trains for many. We will further fight for a social shift in the transportation and resource system, and a good life for all people.”
Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, responded to the events of the day with a tweet, posing the question, “Why do the police let the left-wing protestors off so easily?”
The Berlin-Brandenburg Gigafactory is Tesla’s inaugural and most technologically advanced European facility, with the capacity to produce hundreds of thousands of Model Y vehicles and millions of battery cells as per the company’s statements.
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